Link Between Sugar & Alzheimer’s Disease

Dementia is the term applied to a group of symptoms that negatively impact memory, but Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease of the brain that slowly causes impairment in memory and cognitive function, as well as behavioral issues. Alzheimer’s is often referred to as senile dementia.

Alzheimer’s is NOT a normal part of aging.

Abnormally high blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia, is a well-known characteristic of diabetes and obesity. It is already understood that diabetes patients have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s, where abnormal proteins aggregate to form plaque and tangles in the brain.

Now, however, scientists have unraveled the specific molecular link between glucose and Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting people who consume a lot of sugar, but are not diabetic, are at increased risk.

The molecular link between the blood sugar glucose and Alzheimer’s disease has been established by scientists, who have shown that excess glucose damages a vital enzyme involved with inflammation response to the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

Scientist have found distinct abnormalities in glycolysis, the main process by which the brain breaks down glucose, with evidence linking the severity of the abnormalities to the severity of Alzheimer’s pathology. Lower rates of glycolysis and higher brain glucose levels correlated to more severe plaques and tangles found in the brains of people with the disease.

Do your brain some good and try to incorporate these in every day:

Make sure to get your daily dose of omega-3 fatty acid. Our bodies do not produce this naturally, so eat foods that contain it like leafy greens, walnuts, chia/ flax seeds, avocado, pastured eggs, and berries. Thorne’s natural supplement contains omega-3 and CoQ10. CoQ10 is an antioxidant that our bodies produce naturally. Your cells use CoQ10 for growth and maintenance. Levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease as you age. Both of these supplements improve brain function by aiding growth of neurons.

Stress, anxiety and depression can cause forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty concentrating and other problems that disrupt daily activities. Try to de-stress naturally by getting outside, taking a walk, or any exercise in general. You can also drink green tea ( naturally contains L-Theanine) and/or take L-Theanine, a natural supplement that reduces stress and anxiety pretty quickly.

Dehydration can not only lead to headaches, but loss of memory as well. Water accounts for 75% of brain mass. Use the 8×8 rule: 8 oz and 8 glasses of water – at a minimum.

It can be a catch 22 in that brain fog/ memory issues can create stress and stress can cause brain fog/ memory issues.

Take charge of how your brain is functioning – on a daily basis. Genetics plays a role, but diet and exercise is in our control and can help combat and/ or prevent memory loss.